Some procedural complexities arising over the drafting process are slowing down the finalisation of the proposed Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC).
Professor Sk Sekender Ali, director of the Bureau of Research, Testing and Consultation (BRTC) under Civil Engineering Department of BUET, said the overall process had already been delayed due to some major problems.
He said: "Though we are working as the consulting firm, but it's a matter of collective efforts among multidisciplinary organisations within and outside BUET."
The process was delayed as it was difficult for them to get all the experts of different ministries in time, he said, adding that the new building code had already been prepared despite some minor anomalies.
Mohammad Abu Sadeque, Director of the Housing and Building Research Institute (HBRI), said except for some anomalies, the new building code had already been formulated with involvement of experts from different organisations.
He said several major problems like load capacity issues regarding garment factories and redefinition of high-rise buildings had already been resolved, but some minor problems with the consulting firm are delaying placing the draft to the ministry concerned.
He said: "As the facilitating and management authority, we have appointed Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) as our consulting firm."
The HBRI director said some changes were made and clauses inserted into the new code.
Professor Raquib Ahsan of Civil Engineering Department, BUET said new chapters such as harvesting rainwater, use of renewable energy and space for easy movement and staying for mentally and physically challenged people had been inserted into the new code.
Another HBRI official said an annexure on load capacity for garment industry had been added at the end of the draft code.
He said there are some minor mistakes in drafting, fonts and several clause dislocations in the code.
After making necessary amendments to the draft, he said, the draft code would be placed to the ministry of housing and public works. Later, it is supposed to go to the law ministry for vetting.
Ahsan Habib, Superintendent Engineer of Public Works Department said, the government is yet to form the implementing and monitoring authority for the existing building code which was first prepared in 1993.
He said the government issued a Statutory Regulatory Order on the BNBC in 2006.
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Building code draft gathers dust
Shamsul Huda | Published: January 20, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00
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